Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre in New Delhi. Alongside the inauguration, PM Modi also unveiled Bharat’s 6G Vision Document, the 6G R&D Test Bed, and the ‘Call Before You Dig’ App.
ITU Area Office in India to Promote Economic Cooperation in the Region
The ITU is the United Nations’ specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Fully funded by India, the ITU Area Office is located on the second floor of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) building at Mehrauli, New Delhi. It will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Iran, promoting economic cooperation in the region.
6G Testbed and ‘Call Before You Dig’ App Launched for Faster Technology Adoption
The Bharat 6G Vision Document was prepared by the Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G) constituted in November 2021. The group includes members from various Ministries/Departments, research and development institutions, academia, standardisation bodies, Telecom Service Providers, and industry. The document aims to develop a roadmap and action plans for 6G in India.
The 6G Testbed will provide a platform for academic institutions, industries, start-ups, MSMEs, and the industry to test and validate evolving ICT technologies. The 6G Testbed and the Bharat 6G Vision Document will facilitate innovation, capacity building, and faster technology adoption in India.
The ‘Call Before You Dig’ App is a tool developed to prevent damage to underlying assets like optical fibre cables. Uncoordinated digging and excavation often cause damage to underground assets, leading to significant losses. The mobile app will connect excavators and asset owners through SMS/email notifications and click-to-call functionality, ensuring planned excavations while protecting the safety of underground assets.
India’s Growing Role in Bridging Technological Divides
PM Modi’s inauguration of the ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre, as well as the launch of the 6G Vision Document and the 6G Testbed, demonstrate India’s growing role in bridging technological divides. As the world becomes increasingly connected, access to reliable and advanced technology is critical to promoting economic growth and improving quality of life. With its focus on innovation and technological advancement, India is well-positioned to take a leading role in this process.
Overall, the launch of Bharat’s 6G Vision Document and the ITU Innovation Centre marks an important step forward for India’s technological development. By investing in new technologies and promoting cooperation across the region, India is laying the groundwork for continued growth and success in the years to come.
